Fall has officially fallen upon us and that means it’s time to trade in tank tops and sunglasses for boots and a sweatshirt.
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The change of season is a distinct cue to some that it may or may not be time to scrape together a couple dollars, or for some of us, a couple hundred dollars, and do some wardrobe updating.
Fashion trends are changing all the time, and what was cool yesterday might not transcend so well into the future. This entire fashion game can confuse, frustrate, excite or do a multitude of other things to the average man who just wants to look good. But fear not average man, this column is here to offer up some guidance about how to look sharp this season.
Before we jump into the “do’s” for this season, it’s potentially more important to consider what is a “don’t.” American flag shirts are one of those things that shouldn’t be worn after the Fourth of July, so those should certainly be hiding in your closet until next summer. Yes, patriotism is a 365-days-a-year affair, but sometimes a flag-themed bro tank is not the best way to go during the fall months.
Another thing to give up, that you really shouldn’t have ever picked up in the first place, is athletic shoes and skinny jeans. What planet is this? Snag a pair of low profile Vans or something, but leave your fluorescent Nike shoes at home.
Other than that, here’s a friendly reminder that athletic shorts and button-up shirts go together a whopping zero percent of the time. The same rule applies to joggers, although those are really cool by themselves. Please do not be “that guy.”
Some trends are a bit iffier, and you might be able to pull them off if you know what you’re doing.
Light-wash jeans are generally considered out-of-style, but they can look good in certain cases if you pair them with the right outfit. The same rule applies to patterned shirts, particularly floral. An obvious exception to this is plaid/flannel prints, which don’t appear to be going anywhere.
Bucket hats are one more iffy fashion trend. If your driver’s license says “Schoolboy Q” on it, feel free to rock it. If not, leave it in your front yard buried deep underground.
There are certainly plenty of good trends from 2013 that are continuing into the next year, so don’t worry about trashing your whole closet yet. Sweaters aren’t going anywhere and this means everything from crazy patterns to stripes is still in.
Colored chinos are also looking to stick around, as well as dark wash jeans that follow a slimmer look. Straight and slim-straight jeans are a great idea if you’re looking to jump on a new pair of jeans and aren’t looking for something skinnier. Plain button-ups, especially Oxfords, are definitely still in as well, and they can be paired with jeans and a pair of leather boots effectively.
Now that the fashion ideas have been laid out, where does one go to dress well? If you’ve got a decent chunk of change to drop, J Crew and Banana Republic are fantastic stores that offer a ton of high-fashion choices for men.
Lower down on the price scale would be stores like American Apparel and Urban Outfitters.
American Apparel is a great brand to buy clothes from if you’re looking for basics, and the price is well worth it. Not only are all of their clothes made in the U.S. under fair conditions, but the fabric is extremely soft and high quality.
Uniqlo is another great outlet, especially if you’re looking into getting button-up shirts for a fair price. Also be sure to check out JackThreads if you’re in search of a wide variety of different in-style choices. Down on the low-end of price would be stores like H&M, Old Navy, etc. You can find solid picks at lower-priced stores, but the fabric quality may not be up to par. Be sure to check out Moscow’s consignment store — The Storm Cellar — for clothing as well.
While there may be certain ways to dress well and other ways to dress not so well, always remember your appearance is ultimately up to you. If you want to wear a pair of bright orange Crocs to class, do it. If you want to wear a flannel shirt with flannel shorts to class, do it.
Dressing well is certainly a subjective term, and the most important part of that is feeling comfortable about your own appearance. Regardless, these tips should help out if you’re looking for a new look this season.
Masen Matthews can be reached at [email protected]